I spend time on my laptop learning about different things from Internet sources, entering competitions, e-mailing friends, doing jigsaw puzzles online etc. I also like doing hands-on wooden jigsaws that get sent on to my better half's father's cottage when I've completed them (they rent the isolated cottage sometimes, so wildlife watching, reading and puzzles are the main sources of entertainment - no TV or anything). I read a lot and this has been a lifelong habit. I have a reasonable collection of books my better half refers to as a 'personal library', and though I have read the majority there are still a fair few on the 'to be read' pile!
We will be moving house soon and I will have a greenhouse for the first time ever. I am looking forward to being able to grow more all year round and to be able to provide more home-grown food. Gardening will be my way to stay calm, stay focused and learn a lot. We have big plans for planting to make our new garden wildlife-friendly, to be mindful of pollinating insects with everything we plant, and to provide homes and food for as many species as we can. We have looked into providing a home for a few disabled hedgehogs and, once settled, we may even add beehives to the hedgehog houses, bat boxes, bird boxes & insect hotels plus all the hedges, trees and other plants in front and back gardens, living walls and roofs, climbers along walls and trellis, raised planters full of food for us and the wildlife. There is a large sheltered area behind two tall trees so I will also be researching what, if anything, I can grow or do there and we suspect it is where foxes may sit in the evenings - one of my new hobbies will be sitting in the conservatory watching foxes in the evenings and other wild visitors during the day. Long overdue, but I have also got a sewing machine - and plan on learning how to sew!